By Isa Isawade

The Osun Election Commissioner of Police recently deployed to the state ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, has vowed to deal ruthlessly with any troublemakers with intent to violate the electoral process.

Etaifo also gave stern warnings to all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the state to steer clear of any act that could compromise the election as violators, he said, would be dealt with accordingly.

The new police boss in the state said this during a police conference and press briefing over the forthcoming election at the Police Officers’ Mess, GRA, Osogbo on Wednesday.

policeDPOs at the briefing

The CP said: “Irrespective of what people may say, we are going to achieve this election. What we need to do is to create a level-playing ground for all political actors to exercise their franchise. Gone are the days that the police would be partisan or people alleged us to be partisan. We are going to do our job. The electoral provision on the role of the police is very clear, and that is what we must do.

“We must clear the ground, give all parties the opportunity to exercise their franchise. At the same time, clear ground for all security agencies coming to the state. We must show them that we are ready for this operation.

“Furthermore, we are supposed to clear ground for INEC for a safe arrival before, during and after the election. We are to ensure their safety including people and electoral materials. Our role is very clear.”

Then, he gave stern warnings to his constituency, police officers and other security agents to avoid being used to truncate the system or they would be dealt with.

“Security agents and all political actors including the police, INEC officials must not make any attempt to manipulate this election. I repeat, we warn all violators, no matter your status in the society, whether you are high or low or middle level, the law against electoral malpractices will surely operate and violators will be held accountable.

“I want all of us to understand that governorship election is a federal election. It’s not a state election, and I want people to trust us on this. A team to be headed by a Commissioner of Police, Force CID, is already on its way. The moment a violator is arrested, anywhere in Osun State, they will pick you up, hand you over to them and they take you straight to Abuja.

“This election is a federal election. Any violator will be taken out of Osun straight to the Federal Capital and you will be treated in accordance with the law of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“All political actors, security agents and INEC officials are warned. If you compromise this election, you will be dealt with severely. So, I want to seize this opportunity to warn all police officers, most especially Area Commanders, DPOs to behave well and safeguard this election. If you misbehave, I will not only deal with you, I will send you to where you belong.

“We, the police and other stakeholders are sent to Osun here with the mandate to ensure law and order in the state so that the election can go on peacefully. Secondly, we are to ensure there is public confidence in the electioneering process,” Etaifo said.

Responding to a question about the scale of personnel planned for deployment for the election, he replied: “As I speak with you now, the total number of officers that will come for this election, you should be expecting nothing less than 15,000 both professionals, specialists, medicals, etc. There is going to be a DIG in charge of this operation, he is coming. There are going to be AIGs for the operation, they are coming. I’m just the CP in charge of election. That’s why the IG said I should move. We are supposed to arrive here about four or five days to election but because of the heightened tension in the state, IG said I should move now being the most junior officer among us.”

He asked Osun residents to rest assured that the police would perform to the greatest expectation of the people.